to stage an attack. The oil keeps the snake from getting out of its hole. Its smooth body can’t slide over the slip pery oil so that it becomes a prisoner in its own hole. What’s more, the oil on the sheep acts as a repellent to drive the viper away. And you know, what this human shepherd would do for his sheep our Lord does for His children. How wonderfully we are as sured that “when he ( the Lord) putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them” (John 10:4). * He who puts God first will find Him with him at the last. * * * REWARD FOR TARRYING Thrilling is the account in the Old Testament of David who carried on an intensive battle against the enemies of the Lord even though he himself was a refugee from Saul. In one important skirmish, hewent into battle with only four hundred soldiers and deliv ered the city from the Amalekites. Two hundred of his army were so weary they couldn’t go on so David instructed them to stay behind and take care of their things, “stuff,” gained in previous victories. Again, the Lord gave the complete and overwhelming triumph. Those who had fought in the battle, however, objected to sharing the spoil with the ones who remained behind, guarding the possessions. David re buked the selfish soldiers reminding them, “As his part is that goeth down to the battle so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff.” There’s wonderful spiritual analogy here for so many of you .listeners, be cause of health, age, or family respon sibilities, have been unable to get to the foreign field or even in active wit ness here at home, yet you have been praying and sacrifidally giving so that the Gospel message could go forth. Re member, as you are faithful in sowing, so you shall also rejoice in reaping. As his part is who goeth down to the bat tle, so shall your part be that tarrieth by the stuff. And the Lord giveth the increase! •k * # The key unlocking heaven's entrance doesn't always fit every church door. 23 * *
all in one place?” His friend was puzzled, but soon understood as the distinguished scientist drew a magnet back and forth through the sand sev eral times. As he did, the iron particles literally jumped to the magnet, soon all being retrieved from the sand. The saint of God concluded, “Don’t you think the same Lord, who gave such power to this lowly magnet, could do something much greater and more wonderful with the bodies of sleeping saints?” The practical illustration was the means of drawing this man to Christ. It’s fascinating to note that now scientists tell us if all of the space between the atoms of a 180 pound man could be removed the solid material remaining would probably be no bigger than one small particle of dust. Listen, my friend, He who once took the dust of the earth to form man can certainly do the same in re making him in His own blessed image at the day of resurrection. Psalm 139: 13-16 tells us that God has a record of “our members” in His book. “Thanks be unto God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” * What we have in our hand will loae, but what we put in God's hand will al ways be in our possession. * * * PROTECTION FOR SHEEP Some of the most precious truths of scripture are to be found in the 23rd Psalm. Those who have studied the area in which David wrote these words tell how it is true that the wise shep herd always goes before the flock to take every precaution for their pro tection. Over in these lands there are tiny brown snakes known as vipers, which live underground. Without warn ing they’ll dart out of their small holes and nip at the sheep’s noses. The bite is poisonous. Frequently the in flammation causes the animal’s death. So, coming to a new pasture, the care ful shepherd looks over the area in search of the tell-tale evidence of the vipers. Should he find a hole, he pours some thick oil in a circle around it. As a further precaution, he may anoint the head of each sheep with oil. Hear ing the hoof beats, a viper may try * *
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